The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Michael Gove MP paid a visit to Radnorshire on a visit organised by local MP Chris Davies.

The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Michael Gove MP paid a visit to Radnorshire on a visit organised by local MP Chris Davies.

The visit included two meetings in the Painscastle Valley, one at Llandeviron Farm home of the Lewis Family with livestock farmers from throughout Brecon & Radnorshire. The meeting involved an open floor with questions asked about expanding markets for Welsh products and ensuring European markets are still available post Brexit.

A second meeting was then held at Rhosgoch Golf Club hosted by Rhosgoch YFC where 40 YFC members from Radnorshire and Breconshire Clubs outlined what they saw as upcoming opportunities and concerns post Brexit and gave Mr Gove plenty of ‘food for thought’ as he prepares his DEFRA department for post Brexit world.

Chris Davies MP said:

"I am delighted that Michael Gove accepted my invitation to visit Brecon and Radnorshire last week, where he attended two events in an area heavily dependent on livestock farming.

The aim of the Secretary of State’s visit was to meet with Brecon and Radnorshire Farmers and also a large delegation of YFC members from across the area to discuss the future of Welsh farming post Brexit.

Mr Gove confirmed that funding for farming sent from Westminster to the Welsh Government would be ring-fenced so the Welsh Government would have to spend it on farming and not on other departments. He also said he is confident of a deal with the EU and that he has no doubt that trade will continue with the EU for Welsh farmers".

I have said since the vote to leave the EU in 2016, I believe we will bounce back stronger than ever once we leave the EU. There are booming markets in the Middle East who have a large appetite for products such as Welsh Lamb, and I want our nation to make the most of expanding to these markets post Brexit.

Robert Lewis, NFU Cymru Brecon & Radnor County Chairman, said:

“It was good to meet with the Secretary of State Michael Gove and our local MP Chris Davies to discuss the issues affecting farmers here in Brecon & Radnorshire, as well as our counterparts across Wales. We are grateful for the opportunity to talk about the challenges and opportunities that exist for Welsh farmers once Britain leaves the EU and I’m sure representatives from NFU Cymru will be equally keen to meet with both MPs at the Royal Welsh Show this summer to continue those discussions.”